Benj Bolivar: From the hardcourt to showbiz

Slowly, Benj Bolivar is getting there. The former varsity basketball player from the University of the Philippines (UP) joined showbiz and is now a Backroom talent. While it was slow going initially, Benj has finally made some real progress, having bagged the recurring role of Paco Mercader in ABS-CBN’s Moon of Desire (which is getting a lot of positive feedback from viewers).

For him, though, this is just the beginning. The next step, he says, is to be able to penetrate the film world. “I want to make movies that will touch the hearts of people and inspire them.”

In the meantime, he is enjoying being in the business, learning everything that he can. Benj believes that as an aspiring actor, this is his best asset: The ability to learn quickly. “My best asset as an actor is that I believe I’m a fast learner, and I really do my best efforts to understand where my character is coming from, and his story, to be able to be effective onscreen.”

Benj became a fast learner during his time as part of the UP Fighting Maroons’ training pool. To make it as a basketball player, you need to be able to think on your feet. When he entered UP, he had to adjust to the way things was done there as fast as he could. He worked hard to do so because he was determined to represent his school in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) for UP. That didn’t work out the way he would have wanted it to, but the determination and quick thinking he picked up from years of sweating it out on the hard court have served him well in showbiz so far.

For example, not making it to his school’s main team taught Benj how to handle rejection, which came in handy when he began making the rounds of auditions, castings and go-sees. “That was the biggest challenge I’ve faced so far, learning how to accept failure and rejection in showbiz,” he says.

Benj wants to be prepared for when his big break does come, so he’s studying acting under filmmaker Rahyan Carlos, who is the head of Star Magic’s Artist Training division. He has also trained with the likes of Laurice Guillen and Pen Medina to further hone his craft. “I see myself as a promising character and dramatic actor. I dream of playing big roles in movies and teleseryes and be recognized for my talent. Aside from my workshops, while waiting for my big break I make sure I take good care of my body by playing basketball and working out at the gym when I have time.”

He’s used to playing basketball in front of big crowds, but performing — dancing, hosting and singing — he still has a lot to learn Benj admits. He has been throwing himself into performing at the different PAGCOR branches with his fellow NYOBG members. “We enjoy our PAGCOR shows immensely. I am happy, natutuwa naman yung crowd.”

In the PAGCOR shows, they do a little of everything — acting, dancing, hosting and singing. The PAGCOR shows were supposed to end last December; but after seeing how the crowds at the different branches embraced them — were extended, first until March this year, then now, until June. He loves wherever he is now and Benj is looking at the future positively.

“In the next five years, I see myself becoming a recognized character and dramatic actor. I want to be like Cesar Montano and Pen Medina, to name a few. I want to portray heavy, meaty roles that will touch people like a man dying from cancer, a transgender, an HIV victim, an alcoholic, or a street thug.”

Benj also models for Outkast, a clothing line where he is one of the owners.